A low-Earth orbit communications network.
In fact, it wasn't a system much needed in Korea.
It was rare to find places in Korea where cell phones didn't work, and even if there were, very few people lived there.
Plus, the service was expensive.
Users had to pay at least 200,000 won per month, and fees could go as high as 600,000 won.
And the speed wasn't fast either.
Fiber-optic cables were laid across all of Korea, offering internet speeds at least twice as fast as a low-Earth orbit network.
But other countries were different.
Especially the vast United States, where demand was naturally much higher.
And Musk already knew that very well.
"Have you been looking inside my mind? I've been thinking about a low-orbit communications network for a long time. I never told anyone, so how did you know?"
"When I was contemplating what could be done with satellites, the idea of a low-orbit network came to me. So I checked with Taewoo Communications, and they sent a pretty hopeful report."
Of course, that wasn't true.
It was just something I said to make my own plan sound plausible.
"I never expected you'd be thinking the same thing as me. Electric cars, rockets, and now a low-orbit communications network! It's almost like we share one brain!"
"I only talk about ideas I believe will succeed. The low-orbit network will definitely succeed. That's why I'm more than willing to cover half the rocket launch costs."
"Now I have a favor to ask. Please convince the White House to let us start the low-orbit communications business."
That was exactly what I intended.
If the White House was summoning me, it meant they wanted something, and that was going to be the low-orbit communications network.
The next day,
I visited the headquarters of CITI Group.
There, Dimon and David were waiting for me.
"Boss, you're here! I've prepared everything for our trip to the White House. We'll head to Washington on Saturday morning and then go to the White House."
"You've worked hard. You still don't know why they want to see me at the White House, do you?"
"I've tried to find out through various channels, but no one knows precisely. We're only guessing it might have something to do with Taewoo Group's business and resetting relations between Korea and the U.S."
David was stating the obvious.
If even the most connected man in America besides President Obama didn't know, it meant no one truly did.
"We'll find out once we get to the White House. How's the shale gas project going?"
"Very smoothly. The large shale gas field development in Texas is progressing well. And though it's still a small amount, shale gas is already being produced and sold."
"That's faster than expected."
"That was possible because the drilling equipment was already installed at the Waggoner Ranch."
The shale gas revolution was happening in real-time.
By next year, production would significantly increase, marking a major upheaval in the oil industry.
"How have you been, Dimon?"
"Thanks to you, boss, I'm having fun everywhere. I've invested heavily in the quantitative easing project run by Quantum Fund."
"Don't invest too heavily. There are still many more projects to profit from."
"You underestimate fintech banks. All the Silicon Valley funds flow into our bank now. Plus, Bitcoin trading has surged, flooding us with liquidity."
The fintech bank was growing rapidly every year.
It had more than enough money left over after paying off more than half of CITI Group's debt.
Of course, my massive interest injections helped, but Dimon's talent was the real reason for its huge annual growth.
"How's Together Work? I imagine many big fish have started biting."
"Actually, the big players have begun nibbling. SoftBank from Japan, Miura Securities, and several Wall Street investment firms have shown significant interest."
"How interested are they exactly?"
"They're showing enough interest to start negotiating investments with Together Work's CEO Beryl and are even working behind the scenes to secure shares."
It was just a shame there was only one bait.
It was a happy problem deciding which fish to reel in using the Together Work bait.
"Should we negotiate with SoftBank first, or is there a better catch?"
"For telecommunications, SoftBank looks ideal. But if you're thinking about growth in finance, Wall Street isn't a bad choice."
"Finance is already strong enough for now. So let's stick to the original plan and do business with SoftBank."
"I'll plan to extract the most valuable assets from SoftBank and arrange a meeting with their chairman soon."
Right now was the moment when Together Work was most valuable.
Once interest rates started to rise in the middle of this year, Together Work's value would decline.
That's why, with zero interest rates still in effect, selling it now would yield the maximum possible profit.
"We must never let it seem like we're eager to sell Together Work. The other side needs to feel we're reluctantly selling only because they pleaded with us."
"We've already been contacted multiple times. If we show even the slightest bit of interest, they'll come running."
Together Work was a poisoned apple.
It would be a problem if we were the ones offering to sell it first, knowing the poison.
But if the other side begged us to sell, then we had nothing to worry about.
"After we sell Together Work, keep Beryl around for a while. He seems like a useful person."
"I'll do my best to train him so you can make good use of his talents, Chairman."
Beryl was too valuable to use just once and discard.
He was highly capable in execution, and his acting skills weren't bad either.
There were several businesses similar to Together Work, so I planned to keep him on hand for those future opportunities.
***
January 20th.
President Obama's second inauguration was held.
This ceremony was private, with no more than ten attendees.
The Chief Justice presiding over the event, former presidents observing... and as a businessman, I was the only one attending.
Fortunately, I didn't have to be present for the entire inauguration ceremony.
While resting in the waiting room, the ceremony was completed.
After President Obama finished greeting the former presidents, he called me into his office.
"Congratulations on your inauguration."
"Thanks to Chairman Kim's support, I was able to win reelection. I'm always grateful."
President Obama smiled his characteristic warm smile.
With a gentle demeanor, he extended his hand, and we shook hands, congratulating each other on the electoral victory.
"I've heard you're undertaking some very interesting projects these days. I also heard, through President Bush, that you're working on the shale gas project for America's security and future."
"This is a long-term project. At present, it's hard to see immediate profits; it might even incur significant losses. But if the shale gas revolution succeeds, oil-producing countries will find it difficult to check the United States anymore."
Former President Bush was also present at this inauguration.
To think that he had spoken about me during my private meeting with President Obama...
It wasn't anything negative, so there was no harm done.
"President Bush truly loves America. To be recognized by him is no easy feat. Chairman Kim, you have accomplished a difficult task."
"Sincerity always finds its way."
"I agree that America's security can be strengthened through shale gas. But that alone isn't enough."
President Obama was starting to get to the main point.
Since I'm not one to beat around the bush either, I asked directly,
"What additional measures do you think should be taken?"
"Not just for the United States, but also for its allies, further action is needed. Especially with North Korea and China's recent moves being quite unsettling. North Korea is always a threat, capable of aiming missiles at South Korea at any time, isn't it?"
Missiles coming up from President Obama's mouth wasn't entirely unexpected.
North Korea carried out missile provocations several times a year, and as the U.S. president with troops stationed in South Korea, it was undoubtedly a major concern.
"Are you considering building missile defense bases in South Korea?"
"...Chairman Kim, you catch on quickly. That's why we're planning to deploy THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) in Korea."
Why was he asking me this?
Of course, the Taewoo Group was the top conglomerate in Korea with massive influence,
but the THAAD issue was political, something to discuss with politicians rather than a businessman.
"I'm not here to either support or oppose THAAD deployment. This is something you should discuss with the newly formed Korean government, isn't it?"
"After consulting with the Ministry of National Defense, Korea is the optimal location, and Okinawa, Japan is the next best option. I prefer to go with the best solution if possible."
"I agree THAAD is necessary for the security of Korea and the U.S., but China will strongly oppose it. This is a delicate issue as China might even impose the so-called 'Hallyu ban' (restriction on Korean imports and culture)."
The Hallyu ban or Geumhan ban was an administrative action to effectively exclude Korea.
Though unofficial, it resulted in boycotts of Korean products and disadvantages against Korean companies.
Before my return, the ban had severely impacted Korean businesses.
The deployment of THAAD was the trigger, and for over five years, relations between Korea and China steadily worsened because of it.
"If China imposes sanctions on Korea, the U.S. is prepared to retaliate."
"Is there anything specific you would like Taewoo Group to do?"
"We'd like you to provide a site for the THAAD deployment. Of course, this isn't a free request—we're willing to pay a premium for it."
Buying and selling real estate wasn't difficult.
However, if news spread that Taewoo Group sold land for THAAD deployment, the group could become an enemy in the eyes of the Chinese government and people.
THAAD deployment was inevitable.
But under no circumstances should Taewoo Group be linked publicly to it.
"It's difficult for Taewoo Group to provide land directly, but I can connect you with companies that have suitable sites."
"Then I'll entrust the land issue to you, Chairman Kim. Negotiations about THAAD deployment have been ongoing since the previous Korean government, and since this administration is also conservative, the challenges should be minimal."
Should I say it was fortunate that candidate Choi Jae-seok wasn't elected?
After all, he wouldn't have to take responsibility for a matter so closely tied to national interests like THAAD deployment.
Of course, I had already foreseen the THAAD deployment.
That's why I was steadily developing markets to replace China.
And the reason I didn't focus my business on China was because of concerns about the Hallyu ban.
"I'll assist in signing the land contract as soon as the Korean government completes negotiations on the THAAD deployment. However, the company providing the land may suffer significant disadvantages from China."
"Don't worry about that. For every disadvantage imposed by China, we'll ensure equivalent benefits come from the U.S."
"But I didn't expect you to consult with me on such matters."
"Aren't you the only Korean businessman with whom we can discuss U.S.-Korea security issues? Especially since you have President Bush's recognition."
He trusts me, in other words.
That means he'll accept whatever proposal I put forward.
I was ready to bring up satellite sharing and the low-Earth orbit communications network—matters deeply connected to security.
TL/n -
You can read the complete novel (up to chapter 751) at ko-fi.com/inkbound